Allah does not accept any deed except what is done purely for Him and in pursuit of His Countenance
عَنْ أَبِي أُمَامَةَ الْبَاهِلِيِّ رضي الله عنه قَالَ: جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، فَقَالَ: أَرَأَيْتَ رَجُلًا غَزَا يَلْتَمِسُ الْأَجْرَ وَالذِّكْرَ، مَا لَهُ؟ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «لَا شَيْءَ لَهُ» فَأَعَادَهَا ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ، يَقُولُ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «لَا شَيْءَ لَهُ» ثُمَّ قَالَ: «إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَقْبَلُ مِنَ الْعَمَلِ إِلَّا مَا كَانَ لَهُ خَالِصًا، وَابْتُغِيَ بِهِ وَجْهُهُ»
Explanation
A man came to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) to ask him and seek his Fatwa about the ruling on a man who goes out for battle and Jihad seeking reward from Allah and desiring praise and commendation from people, as to whether he will receive a reward? The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) answered him that he will have no reward because he associates others with Allah in his intention.
The man repeated his question to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) three times, and he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) responded to him and confirmed the same answer - that he will have no reward.
Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informed him about the rule governing the acceptance of deeds by Allah: Allah does not accept any deeds unless they are purely devoted to Allah, without associating others with Him, and for His sake, Exalted be He.
Source
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